Three Ahmadi men sentenced to death on blasphemy charge in Pakistan

SHEKHUPURA, Pakistan (Dawn/ANN) - Judge rules that the three men committed blasphemy by displaying banners at place of worship in an offending manner.

A district and sessions court sentenced three men to death on Wednesday on charges of committing blasphemy.

The court also fined them US$ 188 each, but if they are unable to pay the fine, they would have to undergo six months of rigorous punishment.

In his verdict, Additional District and Sessions Judge Mian Javed Akram ruled that the three members of the Ahmadi community of Bhoaywal village had committed blasphemy by displaying a poster and banners at their place of worship in a manner that was offending.

Riaz Hussain, a shopkeeper, had filed a complaint against the three men at the Sharqpur police station.